U.S. patent application number 16/951322 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for information processing apparatus, information processing method, program medium and vehicle system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Hiroki Ashizawa, Taro Hasegawa, Shigeru Inamori, Motoki Maekawa, Fuminori Matsuoka, Shintaro Matsutani, Yasuki Nakagawa, Masaki Nanahara, Aya Sato, Misaki Sato.
Application Number | 20210146795 16/951322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005261359 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210146795 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsutani; Shintaro ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD,
PROGRAM MEDIUM AND VEHICLE SYSTEM
Abstract
An information processing apparatus controls a vehicle having a
service power supply used to provide a service and a driving power
supply used for traveling. The information processing apparatus has
a storage unit configured to store service-related information
concerning the service provided by the vehicle, and a controller
configured to select any of a first mode, in which the service
power supply and the driving power supply are independently used,
and a second mode, in which the service power supply and the
driving power supply are shared, based on the service-related
information.
Inventors: |
Matsutani; Shintaro;
(Kariya-shi, JP) ; Sato; Aya; (Miyoshi-shi,
JP) ; Nakagawa; Yasuki; (Toyota-shi, JP) ;
Inamori; Shigeru; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Matsuoka;
Fuminori; (Toyota-shi, JP) ; Hasegawa; Taro;
(Toyota-shi, JP) ; Nanahara; Masaki; (Toyota-shi,
JP) ; Sato; Misaki; (Nisshin-shi, JP) ;
Maekawa; Motoki; (Nagakute-shi, JP) ; Ashizawa;
Hiroki; (Toyota-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha |
Toyota-shi Aichi-ken |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005261359 |
Appl. No.: |
16/951322 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 53/126 20190201;
B60L 53/65 20190201; G08G 1/096844 20130101; B60L 53/39 20190201;
B60L 53/36 20190201; B60W 2556/50 20200201 |
International
Class: |
B60L 53/65 20060101
B60L053/65; B60L 53/126 20060101 B60L053/126; B60L 53/39 20060101
B60L053/39; B60L 53/36 20060101 B60L053/36; G08G 1/0968 20060101
G08G001/0968 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2019 |
JP |
2019-209430 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus that controls a vehicle
having a service power supply used to provide a service and a
driving power supply used for traveling, comprising: a storage unit
configured to store service-related information concerning the
service provided by the vehicle; and a controller configured to
select any of a first mode, in which the service power supply and
the driving power supply are independently used, and a second mode,
in which the service power supply and the driving power supply are
shared, based on the service-related information.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the service-related information is data that associates the
service provided by the vehicle and an amount of power required to
provide the service with each other.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller selects the second mode when an amount of
power provided by the service power supply alone is insufficient to
provide the service.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller selects the second mode when an amount of
power provided by the driving power supply alone is insufficient
for the vehicle to travel along a predetermined travel route.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the storage unit further stores route information
indicating the predetermined travel route, and the controller
determines whether the amount of power provided by the driving
power supply is sufficient or not based on the route
information.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein in the second mode, the controller calculates an amount of
power required for traveling and determines to use the driving
power supply to provide the service within an upper limit of an
excess amount of power of the driving power supply.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein in the second mode, the controller calculates an amount of
power required to provide the service based on the service-related
information, and determines to use the service power supply to
drive the vehicle within an upper limit of an excess amount of
power of the service power supply.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the vehicle is configured so that two or more units having
different functions are loaded, and each of the units has the
service power supply.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the controller sums capacities of service power supplies of
a plurality of units loaded.
10. An information processing method performed by an information
processing apparatus associated with a vehicle having a service
power supply used to provide a service and a driving power supply
used for traveling, the method comprising: an acquisition step of
acquiring service-related information concerning the service
provided by the vehicle; and a control step of selecting any of a
first mode, in which the service power supply and the driving power
supply are independently used, and a second mode, in which the
service power supply and the driving power supply are shared, based
on the service-related information.
11. The information processing method according to claim 10,
wherein the service-related information is data that associates the
service provided by the vehicle and an amount of power required to
provide the service with each other.
12. The information processing method according to claim 10,
wherein in the control step, the second mode is selected when an
amount of power provided by the service power supply alone is
insufficient to provide the service.
13. The information processing method according to claim 10,
wherein in the control step, the second mode is selected when an
amount of power provided by the driving power supply alone is
insufficient for the vehicle to travel along a predetermined travel
route.
14. The information processing method according to claim 13,
wherein in the acquisition step, route information indicating the
predetermined travel route is further acquired, and in the control
step, whether the amount of power provided by the driving power
supply is sufficient or not is determined based on the route
information.
15. The information processing method according to claim 10,
wherein in the control step, in the second mode, an amount of power
required for traveling is calculated, and it is determined to use
the driving power supply to provide the service within an upper
limit of an excess amount of power of the driving power supply.
16. The information processing method according to claim 10,
wherein in the control step, in the second mode, an amount of power
required to provide the service is calculated based on the
service-related information, and it is determined to use the
service power supply to drive the vehicle within an upper limit of
an excess amount of power of the service power supply.
17. A non-transitory computer readable storing medium recording a
computer program for causing a computer to perform an information
processing method according to claim 10.
18. A vehicle system, comprising: a first information processing
apparatus that controls a vehicle having a service power supply
used to provide a service and a driving power supply used for
traveling; and a second information processing apparatus that
provides service-related information concerning the service
provided by the vehicle, wherein the first information processing
apparatus selects any of a first mode, in which the service power
supply and the driving power supply are independently used, and a
second mode, in which the service power supply and the driving
power supply are shared, based on the service-related
information.
19. The vehicle system according to claim 18, wherein the
service-related information is data that associates the service
provided by the vehicle and an amount of power required to provide
the service with each other.
20. The vehicle system according to claim 18, wherein the first
information processing apparatus selects the second mode when an
amount of power provided by the service power supply alone is
insufficient to provide the service or when an amount of power
provided by the driving power supply alone is insufficient for the
vehicle to travel along a predetermined travel route.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2019-209430, filed on Nov. 20, 2019, incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a technique of providing a
service by vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Attempts have been made to provide services by sending
automatic driving cars designed for various purposes. For example,
Patent document 1 discloses an apparatus that determines a vehicle
to be sent based on the demand for a service and the availability
of vehicles and indicates the vehicle to move.
[0004] The vehicle is formed by a combination of a vehicle platform
(chassis) and a cabin module (cabin), and the cabin can be changed
to meet various demands.
CITATION LIST
[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2019-075047
SUMMARY
[0006] In order to provide a service by vehicle, electricity is
constantly needed. However, no attempt has been made to
appropriately allocate electricity between making the vehicle move
and providing a service.
[0007] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the
problem described above, and an object of the present disclosure is
to provide a vehicle capable of appropriately supplying
electricity.
[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an information
processing apparatus that controls a vehicle having a service power
supply used to provide a service and a driving power supply used
for traveling.
[0009] Specifically, the information processing apparatus has a
storage unit configured to store service-related information
concerning the service provided by the vehicle, and a controller
configured to select any of a first mode, in which the service
power supply and the driving power supply are independently used,
and a second mode, in which the service power supply and the
driving power supply are shared, based on the service-related
information.
[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an information
processing method performed by the information processing
apparatus.
[0011] Specifically, the information processing method includes an
acquisition step of acquiring service-related information
concerning the service provided by the vehicle, and a control step
of selecting any of a first mode, in which the service power supply
and the driving power supply are independently used, and a second
mode, in which the service power supply and the driving power
supply are shared, based on the service-related information.
[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure may be a program
that makes a computer perform the information processing method
described above, or a computer-readable memory medium that
non-temporarily stores the program.
[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure may be a vehicle
system including the information processing apparatus described
above and a second information processing apparatus that provides
service-related information.
[0014] According to the present disclosure, a vehicle capable of
appropriately supplying electricity can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a general configuration of
a vehicle system according to a first embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an appearance of a vehicle
according to the first embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a
server apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of service-related data stored
in the server apparatus.
[0019] FIG. 5A illustrates an example of chassis data stored in the
server apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 5B illustrates an example of body data stored in the
server apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a power interchange
between units.
[0022] FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a power interchange
between units.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a
body unit and a chassis unit.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by
the server apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by
the chassis unit (travel control part).
[0026] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by
the chassis unit (power control part).
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] An information processing apparatus according to an
embodiment is an apparatus that controls a vehicle having a service
power supply used to provide a service and a driving power supply
used for traveling.
[0028] The service power supply is a power supply for the vehicle
to provide a predetermined service. The service provided by the
vehicle is retail, provision of food and drink, transportation of
people or transportation of freight, for example. However, the
service may be other services. The driving power supply is a power
supply used to produce a motive power that allows the vehicle to
travel.
[0029] The vehicle according to the embodiment may be a vehicle
including a vehicle platform and a cabin that can be separated from
each other.
[0030] The vehicle platform is a mobile body provided with a
plurality of wheels and a power source. The vehicle platform has
only to be able to travel and does not have to have a cabin. The
vehicle platform may be configured so that a plurality of units
having different capabilities can be loaded thereon. By loading a
predetermined unit on the vehicle platform, a vehicle used for a
predetermined application can be assembled. By replacing a loaded
unit with another unit, the application of the vehicle can be
changed.
[0031] Units that can be loaded on the vehicle platform include a
unit having a cabin space, a unit on which a package is loaded, a
unit having sales equipment, and a unit having cooking equipment.
However, other units are also possible. In the following, a unit
loaded on the vehicle platform will be referred to as a body
unit.
[0032] When the vehicle is composed of the vehicle platform and the
body unit, the vehicle platform may have the driving power supply,
and the body unit may have the service power supply.
[0033] If the driving power supply and the service power supply are
separated from each other, a problem arises that the driving power
supply and the service power supply cannot interchange power. For
example, the vehicle may be unable to travel because of the lack of
the power of the driving power supply even though the there is a
remaining power in the service power supply, or the vehicle may be
unable to continue providing the service because of the lack of the
power of the service power supply even though there is a remaining
power in the driving power supply.
[0034] To solve the problem, the information processing apparatus
used in the embodiment has a storage unit configured to store
service-related information concerning the service provided by the
vehicle, and a control part configured to select any of a first
mode, in which the service power supply and the driving power
supply are independently used, and a second mode, in which the
service power supply and the driving power supply are shared, based
on the service-related information.
[0035] The information processing apparatus may be a server
apparatus connected to the vehicle over a network or an on-board
apparatus that controls the vehicle.
[0036] The service-related information is information on the
service provided by the vehicle.
[0037] The service-related information may be data that associates
the service provided by the vehicle and an amount of power required
to provide the service with each other.
[0038] The storage unit stores information on what service is
provided by the vehicle or how much power is required to provide
the service, for example. The control part determines whether the
two power supplies need to interchange power or not and selects an
appropriate mode based on the service-related information.
[0039] With such a configuration, the service provided by the
vehicle can be expanded.
[0040] The control part may select the second mode when an amount
of power provided by the service power supply alone is insufficient
to provide the service or when an amount of power provided by the
driving power supply alone is insufficient for the vehicle to
travel along a predetermined travel route.
[0041] The mode can be determined before the vehicle starts
operating. However, the mode can also be changed during operation,
depending on the circumstance. For example, after the vehicle
starts operating in the first mode, the mode can be switched to the
second mode if an unexpected power consumption occurs and it
becomes difficult for the vehicle to continue operating (traveling
or providing a service).
[0042] The storage unit may further store route information
indicating the predetermined travel route, and the control part may
determine whether the amount of power provided by the driving power
supply is sufficient or not based on the route information.
[0043] Whether the power of the driving power supply is
insufficient or not can be determined based on the route
information. The route information may include a travel route along
which the vehicle having completed the operation returns to an
operation base (a base where the vehicle can be recharged), for
example.
[0044] In the second mode, the control part may calculate an amount
of power required for traveling and determine to use the driving
power supply to provide the service within an upper limit of an
excess amount of power of the driving power supply.
[0045] In the second mode, the control part may calculate the
amount of power required to provide the service based on the
service-related information, and determine to use the service power
supply to drive the vehicle within an upper limit of an excess
amount of power of the service power supply.
[0046] The excess amount of power can be determined by subtracting
the amount of power required for traveling from the remaining power
of the driving power supply. Alternatively, the excess amount of
power can be determined by subtracting the amount of power required
to provide the service from the remaining power of the service
power supply.
[0047] The vehicle may be configured so that two or more units
having different functions can be loaded, and each of the units may
have the service power supply.
[0048] The control part may sum capacities of service power
supplies of a plurality of units loaded.
[0049] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will
be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of
the embodiments described below are given for illustrative
purposes, and the present disclosure is not limited to the
configurations of the embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
vehicle system according to a first embodiment. The vehicle system
according to this embodiment includes a server apparatus 100 and
one or more vehicles 200.
[0051] The vehicle 200 is an automatic driving vehicle with a
chassis part and a body part that can be separated from each other.
In the following, the chassis part will be referred to as a chassis
unit, and the body part will be referred to as a body unit. The
chassis unit is configured so that a plurality of body units having
different functions can be loaded thereon. In the following, the
term "body unit" will be used to generically refer to a plurality
of body units having different functions.
[0052] At a base where the vehicle 200 is assembled, the body unit
can be changed. Assembling a vehicle means loading one or more body
units on a particular chassis unit to form a vehicle 200 used for a
predetermined application. The vehicle can be assembled by
conveying and loading a plurality of body units prepared in advance
on an intended chassis unit. The assembly of the vehicle can be
performed by a service provider, for example.
[0053] By changing body units, the vehicle 200 can provide various
services. For example, if a body unit having a function as a show
room is loaded, the vehicle can serve as a shop. Alternatively, if
a body unit capable of cooking food and drink is loaded, the
vehicle can serve as a restaurant. Since the vehicle can
autonomously travel, the vehicle can move to a predetermined
location (referred to as a site of business hereinafter) and
provide a service.
[0054] The server apparatus 100 is an apparatus that controls the
assembled vehicle 200. Specifically, the server apparatus 100
generates a command to make the vehicle 200 travel along a
predetermined route and provide a service at the destination
(referred to as an operation command hereinafter) and transmits the
command to the vehicle 200.
[0055] The server apparatus 100 and the vehicle 200 are
interconnected over a network. The network may be a wide area
network (WAN) that is a global public communication network, such
as the Internet, or other communication networks. The network may
include a telephone network for cellular phones or the like or a
wireless communication network, such as Wi-Fi (registered
trademark).
[0056] Next, the vehicle 200 will be described in more detail.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a view showing an appearance of the vehicle 200.
The vehicle 200 according to this embodiment includes a chassis
unit 210 and a body unit 220.
[0058] The chassis unit 210 is an automatic driving car that
autonomously travels. The chassis unit 210 includes a wheel, a
prime mover or electric motor, an apparatus that controls the
traveling, and an automatic driving apparatus, for example, and
travels according to a command transmitted from an apparatus that
manages the operation of the vehicle 200. The chassis unit 210 can
move with one or more body units 220 coupled thereto but can travel
alone. The chassis unit 210 has a capability of communicating with
the server apparatus 100. This capability allows the chassis unit
210 to transmit information on the current position or state of the
chassis unit 210 to the server apparatus 100.
[0059] Although the chassis unit 210 is an autonomous traveling
vehicle in this embodiment, the chassis unit 210 may be a vehicle
operated by a driver or a semi-autonomous traveling vehicle that
travels under the supervision of a driver.
[0060] The chassis unit 210 has a driving power supply
(battery).
[0061] The body unit 220 is a unit loaded on the chassis unit 210
for use. In this embodiment, a plurality of units having
predetermined functions is illustrated as the body unit 220. For
example, the body unit 220 may be a unit used as a cabin (or an
office room, a bed room or the like), a unit used as a sales space
in a retail business, a unit used as seating room (or a cooking
room) in a restaurant business, or a unit for freight
transportation. However, the body unit 220 can also be other units.
The body unit 220 can not only bear people or freight but also can
provide a resource. For example, the body unit 220 may be a unit
that supplies electricity, a refrigerator or freezer unit, a water
supply or drain unit, or a sewage treatment unit. A vehicle 200
that provides a predetermined service can be assembled by loading a
plurality of body units 220 in combination on the chassis unit
210.
[0062] The body unit 220 has a service power supply (battery).
[0063] Although the body unit 220 has been described as being
loaded on the chassis unit 210 in the above example, the body unit
220 does not always have to be loaded on the chassis unit 210 as
far as the chassis unit 210 and the body unit 220 can be coupled to
each other in a predetermined manner.
[0064] The method of coupling the chassis unit 210 and the body
unit 220 to each other is not limited to any particular method. For
example, the chassis unit 210 and the body unit 220 may be
mechanically coupled and separated with a lock mechanism or may be
coupled and separated with an electromagnet or the like.
[0065] The method of loading the body unit 220 on the chassis unit
210 or unloading the body unit 220 from the chassis unit 210 may be
a method of using a dedicated elevator or a method of using an
accessory mechanism of the chassis unit 210 or body unit 220, for
example. With the vehicle 200, the method of loading the body unit
220 on the chassis unit 210 or unloading the body unit 220 from the
chassis unit 210 is not limited to any particular method.
[0066] Next, the server apparatus 100 will be described in
detail.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of
the server apparatus 100. The server apparatus 100 includes a
communication part 101, a memory part 102, a control part 103 and
an input/output part 104.
[0068] The server apparatus 100 is constituted by a common
computer. Specifically, the server apparatus 100 is a computer
having a processor, such as a CPU or GPU, a main memory, such as a
RAM or a ROM, and an auxiliary memory, such as an EPROM, a hard
disk drive or a removable medium. The removable medium may be an
USB memory or a disk recording medium, such as a CD or a DVD. The
auxiliary memory stores an operating system (OS), various programs,
or various tables, and each of the various functions described
later suitable for a predetermined purpose can be implemented by
loading a program stored in the auxiliary memory into a working
area of the main memory and executing the program to control each
component or the like. However, some or all of the functions may be
implemented by a hardware circuit, such as ASIC or FPGA. The server
apparatus 100 may be constituted by a single computer or a
plurality of computers associated with each other.
[0069] The communication part 101 is a communication interface that
connects the server apparatus 100 to the network. The communication
part 101 includes a network interface board and a wireless
communication circuit for wireless communication.
[0070] The memory part 102 includes the main memory and the
auxiliary memory. The main memory is a memory in which a program to
be executed by the control part 103 or data to be used by the
control program is deployed. The auxiliary memory is a memory that
stores a program to be executed by the control part 103 or data to
be used by the control program.
[0071] The memory part 102 further stores service-related data 102A
and vehicle data 102B.
[0072] The service-related data 102A is data concerning a service
provided by the vehicle 200. FIG. 4 shows an example of the
service-related data 102A. In this embodiment, the service-related
data 102A is data that associates a service provided by a vehicle,
the type of the body unit to be loaded to assemble the vehicle that
provides the service, and the amount of power required to provide
the service with each other. In the illustrated example, the
service-related data 102A shows that when the vehicle 200 serves as
a restaurant, the required power per hour is 2500 W, for
example.
[0073] The vehicle data 102B is data concerning the chassis unit
210 and the body unit 220. The vehicle data contains a table in
which information (chassis data) concerning the chassis unit is
recorded as illustrated in FIG. 5A and a table in which information
(body data) concerning the body unit is recorded as illustrated in
FIG. 5B.
[0074] The chassis data contains the positional information on the
relevant chassis unit 210, the operational state of the relevant
chassis unit 210 (such as whether the chassis unit is on standby,
is assembled and in operation, or is out of service), or
information on the capacity of the loaded battery.
[0075] The body data contains an attribute of the relevant body
unit 220 (a function provided), the positional information on the
relevant body unit 220, the operational state of the relevant body
unit 220 (such as whether the body unit is separated or is
assembled and in operation), or the capacity of the loaded
battery.
[0076] The chassis data may be periodically updated based on
information transmitted from the chassis unit 210. The body data
may also be periodically updated based on information transmitted
from the body unit 220. However, if the body unit 220 has no
network communication unit, the chassis unit 210 can transmit the
body data on behalf of the body unit 220.
[0077] These pieces of data may be managed by a database management
system (DBMS) executed by a processor. The database used in this
embodiment may be a relational database, for example.
[0078] A way of using the data stored in the database will be
described later.
[0079] The control part 103 is a computing device that is
responsible for the control performed by the server apparatus 100.
The control part 103 can be implemented by an arithmetic processing
unit, such as a CPU.
[0080] The control part 103 has two functional modules,
specifically, a power management part 1031 and an operation command
part 1032. Each of the functional modules may also be implemented
by the CPU executing a program stored in the auxiliary memory.
[0081] The power management part 1031 develops a power plan for the
vehicle 200. The power plan is a specific power supply scheme that
allows the vehicle 200 to provide a service. Specifically, the
power plan specifies the way in which the battery of the body unit
and the battery of the chassis unit are used. FIGS. 6A and 6B are
diagrams for illustrating power plans.
[0082] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the body unit has a
battery of 3 kWh, and the chassis unit has a battery of 12 kWh. In
this case, if the amount of power required to provide a service is
equal to or less than 3 kWh, and the amount of power required for
traveling is equal to or less than 12 kWh, any particular problem
does not arise. However, when the amount of power required to
provide a service is estimated to be 4 kWh, the service would
otherwise be unable to be provided. In such a case, the power
management part 1031 determines whether the chassis unit can supply
electricity to the body unit without any problem and determines to
supply electricity from the chassis unit to the body unit if there
is no problem.
[0083] More specifically, the power management part 1031 determines
to perform a power interchange when "the chassis unit can make up
the shortfall in power of the body unit while consuming an amount
of power required for traveling". The amount of power required for
traveling is the amount of power required for the chassis unit 210
to start an operation, travel along the predetermined route and
complete the operation (or enter a rechargeable state). The upper
limit of the amount of power supplied from the chassis unit to the
body unit is the amount of charge of the battery minus the amount
of power required for traveling.
[0084] In the illustrated example, the power management part 1031
determines the following.
[0085] The body unit consumes 3 kWh of power from the battery of
the body unit.
[0086] The chassis unit consumes 10 kWh of power from the battery
of the chassis unit.
[0087] The chassis unit supplies 1 kWh of power to the body
unit.
[0088] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the body unit has a
battery of 3.5 kWh, and the chassis unit has a battery of 12 kWh.
In this case, when the amount of power required for traveling is
estimated to be 13 kWh, the service would otherwise be unable to be
provided. In such a case, the power management part 1031 determines
whether the body unit can supply electricity to the chassis unit
without any problem and determines to supply electricity from the
body unit to the chassis unit if there is no problem.
[0089] More specifically, the power management part 1031 determines
to perform a power interchange when "the body unit can make up the
shortfall in power of the chassis unit while consuming an amount of
power required to provide a service". The amount of power required
to provide a service is the amount of power required by the body
unit 220 after the business is started until the business is ended
(or the body unit enters a rechargeable state). The upper limit of
the amount of power supplied from the body unit to the chassis unit
is the amount of charge of the battery minus the amount of power
required to provide the service.
[0090] In the illustrated example, the power management part 1031
determines the following.
[0091] The body unit consumes 2 kWh of power from the battery of
the body unit.
[0092] The chassis unit consumes 12 kWh of power from the battery
of the chassis unit.
[0093] The body unit supplies 1 kWh of power to the chassis
unit.
[0094] If no power interchange is required, the body unit 220 uses
power only to provide a service, and the chassis unit 210 uses
power only for traveling. In other words, the body unit and the
chassis unit independently use their respective power supplies.
This mode is referred to as a first mode.
[0095] On the other hand, if a power interchange is required, the
chassis unit 210 and the body unit 220 interchange power as
required. This mode is referred to as a second mode.
[0096] The power management part 1031 determines in which mode to
operate the vehicle 200 and develops a plan (power plan) that
indicates a specific way in which power is interchanged.
[0097] When a plurality of body units 220 is loaded on the chassis
unit 210, the power management part 1031 may sum the capacities of
the batteries of the plurality of body units 220.
[0098] In response to receiving an operation request for a vehicle
200, which is an automatic driving car, the operation command part
1032 determines the vehicle 200 to be sent and generates an
operation command responsive to the operation request. The
operation command is data that specifies a route along which the
vehicle 200 travels and a procedure or operation to be performed on
the route. For example, the operation command indicates that the
vehicle 200 travels to a predetermined site of business, sets up a
shop and starts the business once arriving at the site, withdraws
the shop after the business hours, and returns to a predetermined
operation base.
[0099] Next, the chassis unit 210 and the body unit 220 forming the
vehicle 200 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an
example of a hardware configuration of the chassis unit 210 and the
body unit 220.
[0100] The chassis unit 210 is a vehicle platform that travels
according to an operation command obtained from the server
apparatus 100. More specifically, based on an operation command
obtained by wireless communication, the chassis unit 210 travels on
the road in an appropriate manner while sensing the surroundings of
the vehicle. Furthermore, the chassis unit 210 may communicate with
the body unit 220 to control the start and end of the service.
[0101] The chassis unit 210 includes a sensor part 211, a
positional information acquisition part 212, a control part 213, a
drive part 214, a communication part 215 and a battery 216. The
chassis unit 210 operates on the electricity supplied from the
battery.
[0102] The sensor part 211 is a unit that senses the surroundings
of the vehicle and typically includes a stereo camera, a laser
scanner, a LIDAR or a radar, for example. Information obtained by
the sensor part 211 is transmitted to the control part 213. The
sensor part 211 includes a sensor for enabling autonomous
traveling.
[0103] The sensor part 211 may include a camera provided on the
chassis unit 210. For example, the sensor part 211 may include a
picture-taking device using an image sensor, such as a Charge
Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor, a metal-oxide-semiconductor
(MOS) image sensor or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
(CMOS) image sensor.
[0104] The positional information acquisition part 212 is a unit
that acquires the current location of the chassis unit 210 and
typically includes a GPS receiver. Information acquired by the
positional information acquisition part 212 is transmitted to the
control part 213.
[0105] The control part 213 is a computer that controls the chassis
unit 210 based on the information obtained from the sensor part
211. The control part 213 is constituted by a microcomputer, for
example.
[0106] The control part 213 has a travel control part 2131, a task
control part 2132 and a power control part 2133 as functional
modules. Each of the functional modules may be implemented by a
central processing unit (CPU) executing a program stored in a
memory unit, such as a read only memory (ROM).
[0107] The travel control part 2131 allows the vehicle to
autonomously travel according to an operation command obtained from
the server apparatus 100. The travel control part 2131 performs the
following processings, for example.
[0108] (1) Generation of Travel Route
[0109] A travel route can be automatically generated based on a
given point of departure and a given point of destination by
referring to map data stored in advance. Alternatively, the travel
route may be indicated by the server apparatus 100.
[0110] (2) Detection of Environment
[0111] The travel control part 2131 detects the environment
surrounding the vehicle based on the data from the sensor part 211.
What is detected may be the number and positions of the lanes, the
number and positions of the vehicles around the vehicle, the number
and positions of the obstacles (such as pedestrians, bicycles,
structures or buildings) around the vehicle, the configuration of
the road or the traffic signs, without limitation. Anything
required to enable the autonomous traveling can be detected.
[0112] (3) Control of Autonomous Traveling
[0113] The travel control part 2131 controls the traveling of the
vehicle based on the detected environment and the positional
information on the vehicle obtained by the positional information
acquisition part 212. For example, the travel control part 2131
makes the vehicle travel along a predetermined route in such a
manner that any obstacle does not enter a predetermined safety zone
centered at the vehicle. The method of making the vehicle
autonomously travel can be a well-known method.
[0114] The task control part 2132 communicates with the body unit
220 to make the body unit 220 perform a predetermined task relating
to the business or the provision of the service. Without
limitation, the predetermined task may be "to make the body unit
220 set up a shop" or "to make the body unit 220 withdraw a shop",
for example.
[0115] The power control part 2133 distributes power based on the
power plan obtained from the server apparatus 100. A specific way
of the power distribution will be described later.
[0116] The drive part 214 is a unit that makes the chassis unit 210
travel based on a command generated by the travel control part
2131. The drive part 214 includes a motor for driving a wheel, an
inverter, a brake, a steering mechanism and a secondary battery,
for example.
[0117] The communication part 215 is a communication unit that
connects the chassis unit 210 to the network. In this embodiment,
the communication part 215 can communicate with another apparatus
(such as the server apparatus 100) over a network using a mobile
communication service, such as 3G, LTE or 5G.
[0118] Note that the communication part 215 may further include a
communication unit for inter-vehicle communication with other
vehicles.
[0119] The battery 216 is a secondary battery for driving the
chassis unit 210.
[0120] The body unit 220 can be loaded in the cabin or on the bed
of the chassis unit 210. The chassis unit 210 can also be
configured so that a plurality of body units 220 can be loaded. The
chassis unit 210 can also be provided with a mechanism (including
an elevator, an actuator and a guide rail) that lifts and lowers a
predetermined unit of a plurality of body units 220.
[0121] The chassis unit 210 periodically notifies the server
apparatus 100 of the status of the chassis unit 210 (such as the
positional information, the identifier of the loaded body unit 220
or the like, which will be referred to as vehicle information
hereinafter). The server apparatus 100 (power management part 1031)
updates the chassis data based on the notified information. The
vehicle information may include the information listed below, for
example.
[0122] The type or identifier of the body unit(s) currently
loaded.
[0123] The current state of charge (SOC).
[0124] The distance to empty.
[0125] Information concerning the operation route.
[0126] Information concerning an event that has occurred (such as
the start and end of a service).
[0127] The body unit 220 has equipment for providing a service
(service equipment 221) and a battery 222, which is a secondary
battery, for supplying electricity to the service equipment.
[0128] The battery 216 and the battery 222 are configured so that
the batteries can be electrically coupled to each other and can
interchange power under the control of the power control part 2133.
When the vehicle 200 is in the first mode, the batteries are
electrically separated from each other. When the vehicle 200 is in
the second mode, one of the batteries can supply electricity to the
other battery within a determined value as the upper limit. For
example, an operation is possible such as "the battery 216 supplies
up to 1 kWh of power to the battery 222".
[0129] Next, a process performed by the server apparatus 100
according to this embodiment before indicating an operation of the
vehicle 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0130] First, in Step S11, the operation command part 1032 obtains
an operation request. The operation request is generated by a
service provider, for example, and transmitted to the server
apparatus 100. The operation request contains the following
information.
[0131] The type of the service provided by the vehicle 200.
[0132] The time for which the service is provided (such as the time
to start the business and the time to end the business).
[0133] Information (such as positional information or travel route)
that specifies the site where the service is provided (site of
business).
[0134] In Step S12, the power management part 1031 then calculates
the amount of power required to provide the service. Specifically,
the power management part 1031 calculates (1) the amount of power
used by the body unit to provide the service and (2) the amount of
power used by the chassis unit to move the vehicle.
[0135] The (1) can be calculated based on the information contained
in the operation request and the service-related data 102A. For
example, if the amount of power per hour required for sales of
commodities sales is 300 Wh and the business is open for three
hours, the requires amount of power is 900 Wh.
[0136] The (2) can be calculated based on the information contained
in the operation request and road map data stored in advance. For
example, after the travel route of the vehicle 200 is determined,
the travel distance is calculated, and the amount of power required
for the traveling is calculated by considering an estimated
condition. Note that if the travel route is specified in the
operation request, the route can be used.
[0137] In Step S13, the power management part 1031 then determines
whether a power interchange is required or not. For example, if the
calculated amount of power (1) cannot be provided by the amount of
charge of the battery of the body unit 220, or if the calculated
amount of power (2) cannot be provided by the amount of charge of
the battery of the chassis unit 210, the result of the
determination in this step is affirmative.
[0138] If the result of the determination in this step is negative,
the process proceeds to Step S16.
[0139] If the result of the determination in Step S13 is
affirmative, in Step S14, the power management part 1031 starts the
distribution of power in the manner described above. If it is
determined that the distribution is possible, that is, the amount
of power used for the service and the amount of power used for the
traveling can be ensured even if the distribution is performed (if
Yes in Step S15), the process proceeds to Step S16. If the
distribution is impossible (if No in Step S15), that is, if a
shortfall of power occurs even if the chassis unit and the body
unit interchange power, the vehicle 200 cannot operate, and the
power management part 1031 notifies the vehicle 200 of the fact and
ends the process.
[0140] In Step S16, the power management part 1031 develops a power
plan that indicates how to use the battery of the chassis unit and
the battery of the body unit. The power plan includes information
concerning (1) the specification of the power mode, and (2) what
amount of power is supplied from which unit to which unit when the
second mode is selected.
[0141] In Step S17, the operation command part 1032 then generates
an operation command to the vehicle 200. The operation command
includes the power plan developed in Step S16.
[0142] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by
the chassis unit 210 in response to receiving an operation command.
Once the vehicle 200 starts operating, the chassis unit 210 and the
body unit 220 supply power according to the power plan transmitted
from the server apparatus 100.
[0143] In Step S21, the chassis unit 210 (travel control part 2131)
starts automatic driving according to a received operation command.
For example, the travel control part 2131 identifies a travel route
and generates a task (movement task) to move to a site of
business.
[0144] In Step S22, the travel control part 2131 makes the vehicle
start traveling to the site of business based on the generated
movement task. Note that, during operation, the vehicle information
is periodically transmitted to the server apparatus 100.
[0145] As the vehicle approaches the site of business (Step S23),
the travel control part 2131 searches for a place where the vehicle
can be parked nearby the site of business and parks the vehicle at
the place, and the task control part 2132 notifies the body unit
220 (service equipment 221) that the business can be started. Then,
the body unit 220 starts the business (Step S24).
[0146] When a condition for ending the business is satisfied (Step
S25), the task control part 2132 notifies the body unit 220
(service equipment 221) that the business should be ended. Then,
the body unit 220 ends the business. After the business is ended,
the travel control part 2131 performs a processing to make the
vehicle 200 return to a predetermined operation base.
[0147] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by
the power control part 2133 during traveling and business. The
process is periodically performed during operation of the vehicle
200.
[0148] First, in Step S31, the power control part 2133 obtains the
power plan transmitted from the server apparatus 100 and
temporarily stored.
[0149] In Step S32, the power control part 2133 then determines
whether to perform a power interchange or not. If the power plan
specifies that a power interchange be performed, the result of the
determination is affirmative.
[0150] In Step S33, the battery 216 and the battery 222 are
electrically coupled to each other to interchange power. Whether
the chassis unit supplies electricity to the body unit or the body
unit supplies electricity to the chassis unit is appropriately
determined based on the power plan.
[0151] In Step S34, the power control part 2133 determines whether
to end the power interchange or not. For example, when the supply
of the specified amount of power is finished, the result of the
determination in this step is affirmative.
[0152] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a
configuration in which the chassis unit and the body unit have
their respective power supplies, the units interchange power as
required. With such a configuration, the service provided by the
vehicle can be expanded.
Second Embodiment
[0153] In the first embodiment, the server apparatus 100 develops
the power plan in advance. However, depending on the operational
state of the vehicle, an amount of power exceeding the amount of
power predicted in advance may be used. In such a case, the chassis
unit (power control part 2133) can modify the power plan. For
example, the chassis unit (power control part 2133) can obtain the
latest status of power consumption and estimate that the power
consumption will exceed the expected amount and the remaining power
of the battery of any of the chassis unit 210 and the body unit 220
will be exhausted. In such a case, whether a power interchange is
possible or not can be determined, and if possible, an unplanned
power interchange can be performed. That is, the mode can be
switched from the mode determined by the server apparatus to the
other mode based on the determination on the vehicle side.
Furthermore, the amount of power to be interchanged determined in
advance can also be changed. The determination to switch the mode
can be made at Step S32. In that case, the upper limit of the
amount of power to be interchanged is the excess amount of
power.
[0154] The excess amount of power can be recalculated by the server
apparatus 100 in response to a request from the vehicle 200. If the
vehicle has data on which the calculation is based, the calculation
can be performed on the vehicle side.
[0155] When any of the provision of the service and the traveling
of the vehicle is impossible even if the unplanned power
interchange is performed, the operation or business can be
determined to be ceased.
Third Embodiment
[0156] In the first embodiment, the server apparatus 100 develops
the power plan. However, the power plan can also be developed by
the vehicle 200. In that case, the power control part 2133 can
calculate the amount of power required to provide the service and
the amount of power required for traveling and then determine
whether a power distribution or interchange between the units is
required or not. That is, the vehicle (chassis unit 210) can
determine which of the first and second modes is to be adopted. The
data required to calculate the amount of power (such as the
service-related information) may be obtained from the server
apparatus 100 as required or may be stored on the vehicle side in
advance.
OTHER MODIFICATIONS
[0157] The embodiments described above are just examples, and
various modifications are possible without departing from the
spirit of the present disclosure.
[0158] For example, the processings and units described in the
present disclosure can be used in any combination as far as no
technical contradiction occurs.
[0159] In the description of the embodiments, an example has been
described in which the vehicle 200 moves to a predetermined site of
business and then sets up a shop. However, if the movement itself
is included in the service, the vehicle 200 may provide the service
while traveling. In that case, the "amount of power required to
provide the service" is the amount of the power consumed in the
body unit.
[0160] Although the vehicle 200 has been illustrated in the
description of the embodiments, any conveyance other than the
vehicle can be contemplated. For example, by loading a body unit
having a particular capability on an aircraft platform or a ship
platform, an aircraft or ship used for a predetermined application
can be assembled.
[0161] Furthermore, a processing described as being performed by
one device may be performed in cooperation of a plurality of
devices. Alternatively, processings described as being performed by
different devices may be performed by one device. In the computer
system, the hardware component (server component) that provides
each function can be flexibly changed.
[0162] The present disclosure can also be implemented by installing
a computer program that implements the functions described above
with regard to the embodiments in a computer and by one or more
processors of the computer reading and executing the program. Such
a computer program may be provided to the computer via a
non-temporary computer readable memory medium that can be connected
to a system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer
via a network. The non-temporary computer readable memory medium
may be any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (such as a floppy
(registered trademark) disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)) or an
optical disk (such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk or a Blu-ray disk), or
any type of medium suitable for storage of an electronic
instruction, such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access
memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory
or an optical card.
* * * * *